gravely irresponsible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gravely irresponsible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or decisions that are extremely careless or lacking in responsibility, often with serious consequences. Example: "The decision to ignore safety protocols during the event was gravely irresponsible and put everyone at risk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Reading Drew's post yesterday, it struck me that it would be gravely irresponsible for us not to provide our readers with The Cartoon Lounge's Guide to Surviving a Starfish Attack:.

The New Yorker

Regardless of the comparative merits that either approach might offer in the face of the seemingly intractable problem of North Korea, it seems gravely irresponsible for the leader of the opposition to be belittling his country's military capability at a time like this.There is an argument for stating that Mr Lee's policy on North Korea has been something far less than successful.

The Economist

It seems that the new stricter strict laws regarding drunk driving have done little to curb that gravely irresponsible habit, so harsher measures may be on the way in the form of in-car breathalyzers.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Completely irresponsible".

Independent

Small urchins angle gravely,.

The New Yorker

"Moke," it pronounced gravely.

The New Yorker

Thus filmmakers philosophize gravely".

The New Yorker

His friend nodded gravely.

The New Yorker

The girls nodded gravely.

The New Yorker

Staggeringly irresponsible?

The Guardian - Opinion

Too irresponsible!

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gravely irresponsible" to underscore the severe consequences or potential harm resulting from a lack of responsibility. It is most effective when emphasizing the weight of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "gravely irresponsible" when a milder term like "careless" or "unthoughtful" would suffice. Overusing strong language diminishes its impact when addressing truly serious breaches of responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gravely irresponsible" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to express a severe lack of responsibility. It's used to strongly condemn actions or decisions, as shown in Ludwig's examples from news and media sources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gravely irresponsible" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express strong disapproval of actions demonstrating a severe lack of responsibility. According to Ludwig, it's primarily found in news and media contexts, indicating a formal register. While its frequency is relatively rare, its impact is significant when used appropriately to emphasize the serious consequences of irresponsible behavior. The alternative phrases provided offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings with slight variations in intensity or focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply irresponsible

This alternative conveys a similar degree of irresponsibility but emphasizes the profound nature of the lack of responsibility.

seriously irresponsible

This option maintains the gravity of the situation while using a more common intensifier.

utterly irresponsible

This phrase amplifies the irresponsibility, suggesting a complete and total lack of responsibility.

highly irresponsible

This option highlights the elevated degree of irresponsibility involved.

grossly negligent

This alternative shifts the focus slightly to the negligence aspect, implying a severe lack of proper care and attention.

recklessly irresponsible

This adds an element of recklessness, suggesting a disregard for potential consequences.

criminally negligent

This phrase implies a level of negligence that could potentially lead to legal consequences.

woefully inadequate

This choice focuses on the deficiency in responsibility and the resulting inadequacy.

blatantly disregardful

This alternative stresses the open and obvious nature of the lack of consideration or responsibility.

profoundly flawed

This emphasizes a deep and fundamental defect or weakness in judgement or action.

FAQs

How can I use "gravely irresponsible" in a sentence?

You can use "gravely irresponsible" to describe actions or decisions that are extremely careless and have serious consequences. For example: "It would be "gravely irresponsible" not to provide guidance in this situation."

What's the difference between "gravely irresponsible" and "seriously irresponsible"?

"Gravely irresponsible" suggests a more profound and potentially dangerous level of irresponsibility compared to "seriously irresponsible". "Gravely" emphasizes the severity of the consequences.

What are some synonyms for "gravely irresponsible"?

Some synonyms for "gravely irresponsible" include "deeply irresponsible", "grossly negligent", or "recklessly irresponsible". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "gravely irresponsible" a formal or informal expression?

"Gravely irresponsible" is a relatively formal expression, typically used in news reports, official statements, or other serious contexts. It's less common in everyday conversation.